MYRModel Year Report

2010 Volkswagen Jetta

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2010 Volkswagen Jetta
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
852
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2010

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

28% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 120 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2010 852 2011: 607 complaints 2012: 500 complaints 2013: 517 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2017: 159 complaints 2018: 31 complaints 2019: 549 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2020 2021: 69 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 44 complaints 2025: 29 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 17 complaints 1993 1994: 120 complaints 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1999: 349 complaints 1999 2000: 439 complaints 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2005: 248 complaints 2005 2006: 580 complaints 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2010 852 2011: 607 complaints 2012: 500 complaints 2013: 517 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2017: 159 complaints 2017 2018: 31 complaints 2019: 549 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2020 2021: 69 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2023 2024: 44 complaints 2025: 29 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 14 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 19 complaints 1988 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 32 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1992 1993: 17 complaints 1994: 120 complaints 1994 1995: 220 complaints 1996: 173 complaints 1996 1997: 141 complaints 1998: 192 complaints 1998 1999: 349 complaints 2000: 439 complaints 2000 2001: 668 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 456 complaints 2004: 231 complaints 2004 2005: 248 complaints 2006: 580 complaints 2006 2007: 201 complaints 2008: 188 complaints 2008 2009: 888 complaints 2010: 852 complaints 2010 852 2011: 607 complaints 2012: 500 complaints 2012 2013: 517 complaints 2014: 386 complaints 2014 2015: 194 complaints 2016: 161 complaints 2016 2017: 159 complaints 2018: 31 complaints 2018 2019: 549 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2020 2021: 69 complaints 2022: 43 complaints 2022 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 44 complaints 2024 2025: 29 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026

2010: 852 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19830
19841
198513
198614
198718
198819
198928
199022
199132
199230
199317
1994120
1995220
1996173
1997141
1998192
1999349
2000439
2001668
2002702
2003456
2004231
2005248
2006580
2007201
2008188
2009888
2010852
2011607
2012500
2013517
2014386
2015194
2016161
2017159
201831
2019549
202053
202169
202243
202343
202444
202529
20266

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

28% · 235 reports

Most commonly citing horn and instrument cluster/panel.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact was reversing 5 MPH from a residential driveway when the eps and malfunction indicator warning lights illuminated on the dashboard.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-08-18

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

1) IGNITION SWITCH - yes 2) car wont turn off, key is stuck and wont allow to be turned off. this is dangerous for car to be left on.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-24

Fuel system, diesel

19% · 166 reports
CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The vehicle was parked when the contact noticed flames coming from under the hood area. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-04

Also filed under Engine and engine cooling

Fuel/propulsion system

14% · 122 reports
CRASHFIRE

Engine

14% · 117 reports
FIRE

Power train

13% · 112 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the vehicle rolled away and crashed into a telephone pole.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-05-25

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2009-10-20Power train09V333000 Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 passenger cars manufactured between September 2008 and August 2009. The wiring harness of a temperature sensor in the direct shift gearbox…

    Remedy: Volkswagen will reprogram the transmission control module with updated software free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2009. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    2010Complaint volume 852 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. I
    2010-08-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-02-08 High Pressure Fuel Pump Failure (HPFP)
  4. R
    2011-01-31Fuel system, gasoline10V621000 Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Jetta, NEW Beetle, NEW Beetle convertible, model year 2009 Jetta Sportwagen and model year 2007-2009 Rabbit vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines.…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the underhood fuel line. Additionally, depending on the vehicle model, dealers will either remove the plastic tab from the windshield washer fluid…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2011-02-07Engineering analysisClosed 2015-03-27 High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
  6. I
    2011-08-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-12-02 Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage
  7. R
    2011-11-15Fuel system, diesel11V490000 Volkswagen is recalling certain model 2009-2012 Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen vehicles, manufactured from May 2008 through September 2011, model year 2010-2012 Volkswagen golf vehicles, manufactured…

    Remedy: Volkswagen will install an improved fuel injector line for the number 2 cylinder on certain vehicles and will install vibration dampers on all of the injector lines. Volkswagen and Audi will notify…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2017-02-14Electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic16V913000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2018-04-18Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  10. R
    2020-10-30Service brakes, hydraulic20E064000 Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles.

    Remedy: Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2010 Volkswagen Jetta — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 235 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, diesel: 166 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 122 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 09V333000 · Power train
  • Recall 10V621000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 11V490000 · Fuel system, diesel
  • Recall 16V913000 · Electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 20E064000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.